On Christmas Day, at the Golden Rose Bakery.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner and Lieutenant Lucy Emilia, correct? It's an honor to have you visit our store. Could you please wait a moment while I confirm your reservation?"
Daniel nodded, and the employee checked the list.
During this brief pause, Daniel glanced at Lucy standing beside him.
'It's my first time seeing her in civilian clothes...'
Lucy was dressed in a crisp white blouse with a coat draped over her shoulders, and a tan pencil skirt that subtly accentuated her figure. Her attire was both stylish and elegant, reminiscent of a modern woman of the era.
'But...'
She seemed somewhat tense, likely unaccustomed to wearing such clothes regularly.
'I understand. I know the feeling.'
Dressing up in the latest fashion only to feel self-conscious about others' glances once stepping out.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Steiner. Lieutenant Lucy Emilia."
Snapped out of his reverie by the employee's call, Daniel turned as the employee greeted them with a professional smile.
"Your reservation has been confirmed. I will show you to your table."
The employee led the way, and Daniel and Lucy followed without comment, being guided to a window seat.
"Please sit here, and I will bring your food and coffee shortly."
After the employee bowed and left, Daniel and Lucy took their seats, naturally facing each other across the table.
Lucy blinked expressionlessly while Daniel let out a chuckle, prompting her to speak first.
"Colonel? Why are you laughing?"
"Just that. I'm used to seeing you in uniform, so it's different seeing you in casual wear. You could pass for a top actress right now."
Caught off guard by the sudden compliment, Lucy momentarily lost her words.
She had dressed up hoping to receive such praise, but when faced with reality, she struggled to respond.
As a spy, she had no hesitation in dealing with Daniel, but as a woman, she found herself confused.
Daniel, observing her intently, began to remove his leather gloves.
"You know we have to stop by the palace this evening."
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"Ah, the ball, I'm aware."
Daniel had informed her a few days earlier through a phone call, so it was impossible not to know.
'I'm not sure why I was also invited...'
It was impossible to decline an invitation from the Empire's princess.
"There's no need to be nervous," Daniel said, setting his gloves aside on the table.
"The royal ball might seem grand, but it's just a social event. Just be mindful of your words and careful with drinking, and you'll enjoy the dinner..."
He paused as the employee approached with a stollen.
"Here's our Christmas special stollen! Enjoy!"
The cheerful employee set the stollen in the middle of the table and placed two steaming cups of coffee before retreating.
"This is..."
Lucy marveled at the stollen, which looked as if it had been dusted with snow.
"It really looks like snow has settled on the bread. It's beautiful."
"It tastes as good as it looks. I'll slice it for us, just wait a moment."
Daniel skillfully sliced the stollen, arranging a few pieces on plates before setting down the knife.
"Go ahead, try it."
Eager to hear Lucy's honest thoughts, Daniel encouraged her to taste it.
Lucy nodded slightly, picked up a fork, and delicately tasted the stollen.
Her eyes widened in delight.
'Delicious...'
The stollen burst with sweetness upon contact, its moist and tender texture spreading a rich, nutty flavor enhanced by the tangy raisins.
As she swallowed, ready to express her enjoyment, she hesitated.
Seeing Daniel's smug smile made her feel unexpectedly irked, as if he was saying, 'See? I told you it would be good.'
On a whim, Lucy wiped her mouth with a napkin, hiding her true feelings.
"...It's edible."
Daniel, clearly aware she enjoyed it, thought, 'Pretending it wasn't good, huh?'
Her expression when she first tasted the stollen said it all.
Amused by her playful defiance, Daniel kept smiling and gestured with his hand.
"Good to hear. Now let me try..."
His hand wandered aimlessly in the air, searching for a fork that was nowhere to be found.
"Eh? It seems the server forgot my fork."
He considered just using his hands but the thought of getting sugar on them was unappealing.
Just as he was about to call for a server, Lucy interjected.
"If that's the case, I'll feed you."
She leaned forward, fork in hand.
"Feed me?"
Though it seemed like a joke, Lucy's gaze was earnest, leaving Daniel blinking in confusion.
'What's this? Some kind of seduction tactic?'
Feeling that rejecting her offer wasn’t an option, Daniel accepted the piece of stollen from Lucy.
As he savored the sweet yet nutty flavor, he glanced around and spoke in a low voice.
"Lieutenant, I appreciate the gesture, but perhaps we should order another fork."
"...Why is that?"
"There are quite a few eyes on us. If people misunderstand and assume we’re romantically involved, wouldn’t that be a problem?"
Lucy, who had handed him the stollen without much thought, belatedly realized the implications and turned red.
"Ah."
The thought that she had unintentionally acted like his lover made her feel inexplicably flustered.
"Lieutenant Colonel Steiner, I absolutely did not mean—"
She hurriedly tried to explain, but the atmosphere had already grown awkward.
After a brief silence, Lucy murmured in a small voice.
"...I apologize."
Her ears burned red.
****
That evening, Daniel and Lucy arrived at the imperial palace.
They were met by attendants from the Imperial Household Department, who guided them to the separate palace where the banquet was being held.
The venue, brightly illuminated with extravagant lighting, seemed to declare its own grandeur. Even in the parking area, notable figures from politics and high society were seen chatting.
Inside, a massive chandelier dominated the Great Hall.
Tables were laden with luxurious dishes, and at the center stood a magnificent Christmas tree, dazzling in its decorations.
The imperial orchestra played classical music, further enhancing the grandeur of the event.
‘I heard the Christmas banquet was different from other banquets, but...’
Silently impressed, Daniel entered with Lucy and chose a table on the outskirts of the hall.
Drawing attention wouldn’t be beneficial.
However, someone as famous as Daniel would attract people no matter where he sat.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, isn’t it?"
Barely moments after they settled, a familiar voice called out.
Turning his head, Daniel saw Cedric, the Deputy Chief of Operations, dressed in a formal suit.
Beside him stood Selvia.
Daniel immediately rose to his feet, and Lucy followed suit.
"Deputy Chief of Operations. Your Highness."
Daniel bowed respectfully, adhering to imperial etiquette.
Selvia glanced at Lucy briefly before turning her attention back to Daniel.
"Lieutenant Colonel Daniel, thank you for accepting the invitation."
"I am honored to have been invited. I sincerely appreciate it."
"There’s no need to call it an honor when the invited are those who deserve it. More importantly, the Deputy Chief of Operations mentioned he had something to discuss with you."
Cedric looked puzzled and turned to Selvia.
He had no particular matter to discuss with Daniel.
However, understanding Selvia’s intent, Cedric soon nodded.
"As Her Highness says. Let’s step aside to talk."
"Understood."
With that, Cedric led Daniel away.
Watching them go, Selvia then turned to Lucy.
"Lieutenant Lucy? You are Lieutenant Colonel Daniel’s aide, correct?"
Selvia’s lips carried a smile, but her eyes did not.
The atmosphere was subtly tense as Lucy nodded.
"That is correct, Your Highness."
"Good. I have a few questions for you... Ah, but first, please take a seat."
"I cannot possibly sit while Your Highness is standing."
Selvia’s smile deepened.
"I told you to sit."
Only then did Lucy realize that it wasn’t an offer but an order.
"...Understood."
Once Lucy sat, Selvia spoke as if making idle conversation.
"I have taken an interest in you lately, Lieutenant Lucy. If you don’t mind, could you tell me about your upbringing? Your hometown, your family, that sort of thing."
The intent behind the question was unclear.
However, refusing wasn’t an option, so Lucy answered as she had been trained.
"...I was born in a village called Müllendorf, located in the southwestern region of the Empire. More precisely, I was raised in a small cabin in the nearby forest."
"Hmm. And?"
"There, I was raised by my grandfather. He cherished me until I could live independently. Afterward, I enrolled in the military academy, completed my courses, and was assigned to the General Staff to serve under Lieutenant Colonel Daniel."
Her response was concise and polished.
Selvia appeared satisfied.
"I see. That must have been difficult. Growing up in a cabin, without parents, raised solely by your grandfather... That couldn’t have been easy. I think your past can be summed up in a single word."
"...A single word?"
"Curious? Then I’ll tell you."
Selvia placed her hand on the table and leaned forward.
Her platinum-blonde hair cascaded down her shoulders like silk.
The tension between them grew taut, Selvia’s deep blue eyes narrowing slightly, like polished gemstones.
Lucy unconsciously shrank back.
At that moment, Selvia smiled and kissed her on the lips.
“Lies.”